hannibal

[bobtheduck]

the scene in hannibal where he cuts the top of a mans head leaving the brain exposed and the victim is still concious would that be possible in reality?

[Ouisch]

I haven't seen that film, but many types of brain surgery are performed while the patient is still conscious. For example, when treating Parkinson's Disease, the patient is awake while the surgeon removes part of the skull and inserts a probe into the brain. Using the probe, he freezes those cells in the brain that are causing the tremors. The patient has to be awake so he can follow instructions from the surgeon ("hold up your right arm") in order to see if the tremors have stopped.

[andy hughes]

I believe it is possible - the brain has no sense or feeling per se, only the nerves that it contains.

[bluedolphin]

And in the movie Liotta's voice was heavily slurred so he was acting like a person under sedation.

[Scarlett]

It is possible, a lot of brain surgery is done with the person conscious. They have to be awake so the surgeon can ask them things and try different things to cure their problem.

[Scarlett]

Sorry Ouisch- didn't see your reply!!

[Hgrove]

Also pre-historic human remains have been found that suggest that ancient people practised trepanning and they probably did not have anaesthetics.

[New Forester]

It's called trepanning, and it has been done in many cultures in history and prehistory. There is some doubt as to why -- perhaps to relieve pressure from infection or injury, or perhaps to let spirits or suchlike in or out. At least some of the archaeological examples show healing after the operation, suggesting the patient survived.

[cg1308]

Andy is correct. The brain itself has no sensory ability - it can only record what the other body parts tell it.  The 'film' covering it (between the brain and the skull) is the meninges (i.e. meningitis)  this does have nerves and that is how you get headaches etc.  If you gave enough pain killers to the correct place it would theoretically be possible to remove the top of the skull....  but it would be VERY delicate work and it is glued down tight!